Workhorse - RAAF C-130s

In early 2007, Royal Australian Air Force C-130Hs A97-003 and A97-010 were operating as Krait 61 - a formation flight conducting special operations support training during Exercise Red Flag. On the ground at a gravel strip called Keno Landing Zone in the Nellis range near Las Vegas, A97-003 was showered with rocks as A97-010 departed. The ensuing damage was repaired by changing all four engines and propellers along with several windows, both air conditioning packs and the auxiliary power unit. This episode features Matt Nunn - the captain of A97-003 - recounting this incident along with his career in the RAAF.

Anyone who has read about air mobility in the Royal Australian Air Force News over the past 20 years has probably been reading the work of Eamon Hamilton. He served as the Public Affairs Officer (journalist) for Air Lift/Mobility Group from 2006-2022. You can hear all about his career and how the media integrates with operations, exercises and training in the latest episode of 'Workhorse'. 

C-130s are capable of landing very rudimentary runways, including grass, coral, sand, dirt, etc. Yet, they can't land on all types of surfaces because some are too soft to support the weight and tyre pressures of a C-130. In the Royal Australian Air Force, the science of figuring out which runways can support a C-130 belongs to the Airfield Engineers. This episode features Gilbert Gonthier who led the Mobile Airfield Engineering Team (MAET) in 2007-08. In this episode of Workhorse, Gilbert describes how airfield engineers assess runways for suitability, along with snippets from his long career in the RAAF.

Exercise Cope Thunder was run in the Philippines, providing combat air mobility training for anyone lucky enough to participate. Greg Scholes was a pilot with 36 Squadron and relates his experience on Cope Thunder, as well as details about his career on C-130Hs, VIP operations, and his RAAF career. 

Detachment 'S' was a loosely formed task force that conducted air transport operations in Vietnam during, circa April 1975. It was primarily a humanitarian assistance mission, providing food to refugees on the island of Phu Quoc, but it also conducted evacuations from Phan Rang, Operation Babylift, and evacuated embassy officials from Saigon. Ian 'Scooter' Scott was involved in some of these missions, including an Operation Babylift sortie. In this episode Scooter details his exploits as part of Detachment 'S' and relates highlights from his long career in RAAF air mobility and on RAAF C-130s - including as Commanding Officer 37 Squadron, Officer Commanding 84 Wing and Commander Air Lift Group.

Air Force safety systems evolved through the 1990s-present day. This journey included major shifts in policy that led the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to the current airworthiness system that oversights C-130 operations. Dave 'DT' Turner was a C-130H navigator and held many safety roles during his long career in the Royal Australian Navy and RAAF. In this episode, DT recounts the pros and cons of the various safety policies, along with touching on operations he flew during his career.

Shark 02 crashed on the island of Nias in 2005, resulting in 9 fatalities. Scott Olsen was a C-130H and J loadmaster, and in this episode, he recounts the repatriation mission that ensued, along with a rundown of his career.

Nicknames are rife in Australian culture; particularly in the Royal Australian Air Force. This episode of Workhorse dives into nicknames used by the RAAF C-130 community (aircrew, maintenance and support staff). Tony Hall (Hally, or 'Tony Hall from Australia') and Graham Johnson (Johno 1, or Kramer) join me (K9) in presenting the top 100 nicknames and spinning tales about the nicknames and how people got them.WARNING: Many nicknames came from an era when political correctness was not a thing. This podcast episode is decidedly un-PC and contains explicit language. Don't listen if you're offended by bigoted language and swearing.

Royal Australian Air Force C-130s participated in courses run by the US Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Center (AATTC) to hone their skills in combat environments. The course developed skills in airdrop, low-level flying, and threat avoidance. Michael 'Gus' Garside captained a 36SQN C-130H crew on this course in June 1998, and his crew experienced a double-engine failure during one of the sorties at AATTC. In this episode of Workhorse, Gus recounts the flight, along with highlights from his RAAF career as a flying instructor and C-130 crewmember.

Ash Pendergast had a long association with the Royal Australian Air Force's 36 Squadron where he was a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI); took part in original NVG trials; and was a Flight Commander. Ash recalls these roles and his RAAF career in this episode.

In mid-March 1997, the yacht Queen Charlotte was being skippered from New Zealand to Japan by Australian Bob Cornell, with four passengers. On 19 March, the yacht was located approximately 600 nm east of Cairns when it ran into Cyclone Justin and its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated. In response, Ben Charters and his crew from 37 Squadron flew A97-181 on a search-and-rescue mission. This episode details that mission and the consequent engine fire that caused the crew to believe they would have to ditch in the cyclone. Ben also recounts his career with some focus on his time as a flying instructor.

This episode features a wide-ranging discussion of the flight engineer category and its place on the C-130 Hercules. Tony Hall also covers his operational C-130 experience, along with his transition onto Caribous and then as a Loadmaster on C-130Js. The discussion ranges into:RAAF B-707 operations based in Kyrgyzstan (where Tony was an Operations Officer)Impact of the Safety system on Flight Engineer authorisationsThe latter years of C-130H operations in the RAAFRAAF consideration of having a FLTENG on the C=130JDemise of the FLTENG musteringTransition to Loadmaster

Gav Nicholson recounts his involvement with systems integration on RAAF C-130Hs during the late 1990s to the late 2000s, including electronic warfare self-protection, the FMS-800 flight management system, and other modifications of that era. Also discussed are PNG operations, Operations Falconer (Iraq 2003), Shaddock (PNG), Catalyst (Iraq, as C-130J Detachment Commander) and a mission on Spitfire (East Timor) during which his crew flew an evacuation with 180 people onboard a C-130H.

Royal Australian Air Force C-130s airdrop parachutists and equipment to force project Australian military capabilities. C-130s flew in formation as a tactic to concentrate Army parachutists on a target area as quickly as possible (thereby minimising the risk to the paratroopers and aircraft). In this episode of 'Workhorse', Andrew "Stretch" Elliott discusses the many factors that formation lead pilots considered when leading C-130s to a formation airdrop.He also covers his experiences training for fighter evasion on night vision goggles, planning for operations in East Timor (1999), and his role in developing procedures for the C-130J when it was first acquired in 1999.

Graham 'Johno' 'Johno1' 'Kramer' Johnson flew C-130Hs on a variety of operations from 1989 to 1999, including Operations Solace (Somalia 1993), Immune (Pilot Strike 1989) and Ples Drei (PNG famine 1998), all of which he discusses in this episode.Johno also discusses the differences between pushing crew training to the boundaries of aircraft limits and when that transitions into unauthorised flying.

The Royal Australian Air Force's C-130J fleet was acquired in 1999, but it was not fitted with electronic warfare self-protection systems. When C-130Hs deployed to the Middle East in early 2003, 37 Squadron had only just begun training its C-130J crews in tactical procedures. Thus when Middle East operations were extended into 2004, 36 Squadron's C-130Hs remained in the Middle East on an extended deployment because there wasn't a replacement force. This placed great pressure on 36 Squadron's training system, and by early 2004 it was apparent that C-130Js needed to be modified with self-protection equipment and 37 Squadron's crews had to be trained for combat operations. This episode features Justin Ryder who was a C-130J captain in 2004. He relates the C-130J upgrade program and his experiences in the Middle East during the C-130J's first full deployment into a combat environment. His tales include being engaged by an S-60 and a complete avionics failure during a departure out of an Iraqi airfield. He also discusses his later experiences as an air-air refueling captain.(Note: This podcast series will now be shifting to a monthly publication cycle, commencing 1 April).

Reports arising in 1996 from Australian-flagged fishing vessels indicated the presence of dozens of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing vessels in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.  In response, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) sought an enforcement action and requested Defence assistance with search, reconnaissance and apprehension. The first of these ADF missions took place under the name Operation Dirk, and it was enabled by the installation of internal fuel tanks on RAAF C-130Hs. This episode features Michael 'Rocky' Phillips, who was deeply involved in preparing for and then flying these long-range surveillance missions.Rocky also discusses operations on the first C-130H deployment to Iraq in early 2003.

The FMS-800 flight management system was installed on RAAF C-130Hs in 1999 under Project AIR 5195. The FMS-800 delivered a range of enhanced capabilities for C-130Hs making them even more ideally suited for the Airborne Operations and Special Operations support roles. These capabilities included GPS precision navigation, airdrop navigation, receiver autonomous-integrity monitoring (RAIM), jamming protection, and it was integrated with the Litton 92 inertial navigation system, APN-241 radar and the flight director. The FMS-800 came with a hefty training and test and evaluation bill. In this episode, retired Air Commodore Matt Hegarty recalls the two test flights he flew to the North Pole to test the FMS-800, circa 2002 and 2004.

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale struck north of Simeulue Island in the Indian Ocean. The earthquake lifted an estimated 30 cubic kilometres of water which radiated from the epicentre devasting coastal communities around the Indian Ocean. Banda Aceh was hardest hit, and the RAAF responded immediately.This episode features 36 Squadron pilot Charlie Siedentopf who flew one of the first two RAAF C-130s into Banda Aceh. He recounts the devastation, suffering and urgency to help the thousands of disaster victims.Charlie also relates his experience as C-130 Detachment Commander in Iraq 2004 and as part of the C-130H crew that was struck by ground fire near Baghdad, killing passenger Jospeph Arguelles. 

WARNING: This episode discusses a graphic account of the 2002 Bali bombing and related PTSD issues.On 12 Oct 2002 two bombs exploded in the Kuta district, Bali, Indonesia, destroying two popular night clubs – Paddy’s Irish Bar and the nearby Sari Club – showering the patrons with shrapnel and causing fierce fires at both sites. More than 500 people were either killed or injured in the blasts; 202 died from their injuries (88 were Australian). RAAF C-130s were central to Australia's response, conducting 14 aeromedical evacuation flights.Peter 'Kenno' Kennedy was a C-130 loadmaster, and he crewed the second RAAF C-130 into Denpasar airport, Bali, which became the aeromedical evacuation centre in the aftermath of the bombing. Kenno discusses the six hours he spent on the ground helping with triage and casualty management. Kenno also discusses his career, operations in the Middle East, and his current work: Running the charity called 'Veteran Wellbeing Foundation' which supports ADF veterans.

Royal Australian Air Force C-130s arrived in Doha 11 February 2003 to support Australian, US and Coalition efforts as part of the US-led invasion of Iraq. In this episode of 'Workhorse', Anthony 'Locky' Lock describes his role as a Liaison Officer supporting Australian Special Forces air mobility requirements during the early stages of Operation Falconer and his deployment on Operation Catalyst (mid-2004). In particular, he details his experience as the C-130H aircraft captain during the mission of 27 June 2004 when Joseph Arguelles (a US contractor) was killed by ground fire while being flown as a passenger in A97-012. 

In early January 2002, Rob 'Soky' Sokel captained the first RAAF C-130 mission to Afghanistan - under Operation Catalyst. In this episode you can hear Soky describing this epic mission with all its challenges:Scrounging for equipmentBeing hit by lightningUnable to pay contracted support agencies (loading and fuel)Making a wrong turn and being confronted by armed guardsRunning late for their slot time into the area of operationsA leaking fuel tankA bombed out runwayFailing communications equipmentAn APU fire indication in KandaharBeing shot atDiverting for fuelEtc.What an amazing story!

On 2 July 1997 civil war erupted in Cambodia. Nations rushed to evacuate non-combatants. This episode details the Australian evacuation which was conducted by 36 Squadron, under the name Operation Vista. This marked the first use of C-130H electronic warfare equipment on an operation. The discussion with Dave Steel and Jon Kain focuses on the last flight of the operation which they flew in a thunderstorm using night vision goggles.

This episode features retired Air Commodore Richard 'Yoko' Lennon discussing his career along with C-130 operations in Bougainville (Lagoon, Usherette, and Bel Isi) and northern PNG in the aftermath of the 1998 tsunami at Sissano Lagoon (Operation Shaddock). Richard also discusses his command perspectives on Operations Padang Assist (2009) and Yasi Assist (2012), which took place while he was Officer Commanding 86 Wing.

This episode features the career of retired Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a C-130 E, H and J pilot who became Commanding Officer 37 Squadron and later Air Commander Australia. The discussion covers Australia's C-130 contributions to UN operations in East Timor during the latter half of 1999, as well as C-130J operations in the Middle East from 2003.

In this episode, John 'Jack' 'Axel' Foley discusses his career in the C-130 world, including:- Haybale drops during the 1990 floods- A very unique AME out of Mount Hagen, PNG- Op Vista- Command in the Middle East and at 285SQN

The Pong Su was a drug-running freighter that was chased down by Australian authorities and apprehended under the ADF's Operation Tartan (2003). That operation required 24/7 surveillance, and 36 Squadron participated by conducting two maritime surveillance missions with one of its C-130Hs (A97-006).In this episode, Nick McCowan relates his mission on Operation Tartan, along with tales from his RAF career and his time as a Special Operations Check Captain at 36 Squadron.(And, apologies for the audio quality. Note to self: Ensure the interviewee is not using an iPhone as the microphone!)

This episode details the impact of John Howard's shift in defence strategy whereby the ADF was called upon to re-engage in a more forceful manner across the near region and globally. This eventually led to the ADF's long involvement in the Middle East.Concurrently, the C-130J was acquired and Tony Kempnich discusses the acquisition aspects as well training and OT&E of the new capability.

During the British Oxygen Company solo around-the-world yacht race, Isabelle Autissier departed the Kerguelen Islands on 17 December 1994, heading east to sail south of Australia. Her 60-foot boat, Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes II, sailed into stormy 60-knot winds and rough seas in the Southern Ocean, and both her masts snapped. She set off her EPIRB (emergency beacon) in the hope of being rescued. Dean 'T-bag' Tetley was the co-pilot on 37 Squadron's A97-167, and in this episode he recounts the tale of how his crew helped save Isabelle.T-bag also talks about his ingenious solution during the search for a PNG ferry, the MV Matina, and flight operations in PNG, including his experiences on Operation Ples Drai.

In late July 1995 a Japanese fishing trawler, the Zuiho Maru, was wrecked on tiny St Paul Island in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. 36SQN was tasked to search for survivors and provide aid. Don Sutherland was the mission commander for this epic search and rescue mission. He recounts the mission in detail, along with covering the highlights of his career: Operations in the first Gulf War while on exchange with the US Air Force, PNG operations, Commanding Officer 36SQN and Officer Commanding 84WG.

Under the Defence of Australia strategy of the 1980s and early 90s, Australia sought to maximise participation in UN operations. Paul 'Pearl' Nicholas (ex CO 36/37SQN) recounts his participation in UN flights to Africa (Ops Solace and Tamar), as well as his time in PNG and on exchange at Pope Air Force Base. Operations Lagoon (Bougainville), Carmine (Rabaul), Damask (Middle East) and Gemini (Cambodia) are also discussed.

This episode dives into the details of how the Special Operations role evolved within 36SQN during the 1980s and 90s. Greg Evans and John Samulski provide great insight into the reasons for developing the SPECOPS role and how it evolved over time in the Royal Australian Air Force. The discussion roams across the tactics techniques and procedures (TTPs), role equipment, exercises, and aircraft modifications of the that era, along with employment of the SPECOPS and ABNOPS capabilities.

Operations in the Southwest Pacific during the late 1980s and early-mid 90s are discussed with C-130 pilot Peter 'Wedge' Wood, along with his experiences in Papua New Guinea and as Officer Commanding 84 Wing. Additionally, Wedge's experiences of Operation Immune are discussed at length.Operations covered include:Delivery of riot gear to Port VilaSailcloth - Vanuatu unrestMorris Dance - Fiji unrestImmune - 1989 Pilot strike

Dave 'Richo' Richardson discusses a broad range of maintenance topics spanning the 1975-1997 era, including:Corrosion and FatigueBoron fibre repairsC-130E wing repairsC-130E outer wing swapC-130H wing designPaint schemesElectronic warfare modificationsMaintenance reorganisationEngine sulphidationOperating cost reductions (removing wing tanks from C-130Hs, lower TIT settings)The 'rank tank'Litton INS installations24-ship formationNZ deep maintenance and the infamous flameouts

This episode explores the 'Defence of Australia' years and how this strategy impacted C-130 operations. The impact of the Dibb Review is also discussed.

This short episode covers a few unique loads carried by Royal Australian Air Force C-130s in the 1970s and early 1980s. Included are:A bull taken to ChinaThe entombed warriors (China again)Stock to TongaA 3-day trip for a crocA giant pigDarwin Beer Can Regatta  and, F-111 maintenance into Johnston Atoll

This episode covers off on three airlift competitions that RAAF C-130s won on several occasions: Volant Rodeo, Bullseye, and Air Tattoo. The details are discussed with retired WOFF Gary 'Robbo' Robinson, an ex 36SQN Loadmaster.  Of note, Robbo was a crewmember on the only RAAF contingent to ever win 'Best Wing '- the top prize at Rodeo.Robbo also discusses his role as part of the crew that flew the aircraft in this podcast's photo - featuring a C-130H doing a flare dump.

During the 1975-1986 era, the Australian Army reinvigorated Airborne Operations.With the drive to enhance airborne operations capabilities came the notion of operating C-130s into contested environments, and that meant improving RAAF C-130 tactics.Modern tactics development led 36SQN to consider electronic warfare, operating as low as they could, and using night vision goggles (NVGs).Retired Air Commodore John 'Sam' Samulski provides some insight into the tactics development of that era and how 36SQN introduced NVGs.

The advent of the 1976 White Paper came with a reduction in the ADF's combat operations, and an emphasis on preparedness for the defence of Australia. As a result, the ADF put a great deal of energy into exercising and developing combat skills and proficiency. This effort led to the re-establishment of a permanent Regular Army airborne operations capability (first with 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, then 3 RAR) and along with those capabilities came C-130 tactics development.This is the story of that development.  Featured are Exercises Perak Ginger, Distant Bridge, Just Cause (US invasion of Panama), Pelican's Progress and Far Canopy. Also featured is a discussion of how the wedge came to be.

This episode covers unique operations of the 1975-1986 era. These missions are all reflective of the flexibility inherent in the C-130 and Australia’s growing dependence on the Hercules to deliver a variety of effects. The missions covered include:Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) of TehranUN supply missions to the Middle East1981 Qantas strikeIntercepting a drug runner

This episode looks at a handful of Search and Rescue missions in the 1975-1986 era, including the Nocturne (which also featured Sir Angus Houston), Charleston, and Matina.The episode also discusses the development of the helibox and the air-sea rescue kit (ASRK).

From  the mid 1970s, Australia's defence strategy shifted to 'Defence of Australia'. This resulted in more domestically-focused tasking and support to the near region for disaster relief and SARs. This episode covers some of the Humanitarian Assistance  / Disaster Relief operations of that era, including the Moree Floods, Operation Ricebowl, and several cyclones.

This episode details the history of Royal Australian Air Force operations in Antarctica with a focus on RAAF C-130 involvement, including airdrops at Macquarie Island.

In the early 1980s, 36SQN supported the Forest Commission Victoria by installing and operating a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). This episode details the circumstances leading to this decision, the operations that ensued, and the reasoning behind the cessation of the aerial fire fighting role.

This Episode covers:The strategic circumstances that led to the RAAF's acquisition of the C-130HTechnical upgrades that came with the C-130HAcquisition and the early training for the C-130H capabilityThe C-130A disposal saga.

This episode covers a range of maintenance related tasks in the 1965-1975 era, including:Cargo Door bolt failuresBoron FibresWing corrosion and crackingBoggingRudder Kick-backThis is the last episode for 2023. Workhorse will return mid-Jan 2024 on a bi-

This episode features Stu Bryce who was captain of A97-160 when it had a catastrophic engine failure half-way between Hawaii and Pago Pago in 1973. Search and Rescue (SAR) doctrine is also covered, along with an explanation of why RAAF C-130s were given the SAR role in 1967.

Retired Warrant Officer and Flight Engineer Tony Ryan features in this episode which focuses on domestic Australian Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the early 1970s. The large-scale floods of early 1971 and 1974 rivalled the floods of 2022. The ADF response was wide-ranging, including major commitments by RAAF C-130s and the introduction of hay bale dropping. Cyclones Althea (one of the biggest to ever hit Townsville) and Tracy (devastated Darwin) are also covered. In particular, the Cyclone Tracy response involved 19 C-130s and included very long crew days and a few interesting tales.

This episode covers Airborne Operations training and development in the 1965-75 era. Of note, the Australian Army's return to mass airdrop was initiated by 6RAR and supported by 36SQN in this era. Also covered is the role of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, along with a look at some of the HADR Operations of that era in places like Indonesia and PNG.

This Episode features guest Ian Frame. He covers RAAF C-130 operations in South East Asia from 1971 - 1975 (mostly Apr 1975). The operations discussed include:Weapons delivery to Cambodia in 1971Non-combatant Evacuation Operations at Phan RangOperation BabyliftHADR flights to An ThoiEvacuation of the Australian Embassy in SaigonHADR flights to Laos